Inertia operated choke for shotguns



Nov. 25, 1958 L. M. DENAUX INERTIA OPERATED CHQKE FOR SHOTGUNS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21, 1957 INVENTOR.

Nov. 25, 1958 L. M. DENAUX 1,

INERTIA OPERATED CHOKE FOR SHOTGUNS Filed May 21, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Louis M. Denaux INVEN TOR.

Unite States Patent fifice 2,861,376 Patented Nov. 2 5, 1958 INERTIAOPERATED CHOK FOR S HOTGUNS Louis M. Denaux,.Charlest0n, S. C.

Application May 21, 1957, Serial No..660,5 67

9 Claims. (Cl. 42-79) This invention relates in general to new anduseful improvements in shotgun attachments'and more specifically to aninertia operated choke.

In recent years there have been developed many types proved chokeattachment for shotguns, the chokeattacbment being of the inertiaoperated type and-requiring no specially machined parts such as thoserequired ina. gas operated type of choke.

Another object of this inventionis to provide antimproved choke forshotguns, the choke being of, an:extremely simple construction andincludesthe normal barrel having the forward end thereof in the form fpaplurality of resilient fingers, a sleeve threadedly engaged in theforward end of the barrel and including 'aifrustoconical portionengaging the fingers to efiect-thechanging of choke of the barrel, andan inertia operatedv operator for selectively rotating the sleeve tovary .the choke of the barrel.

A still further object of'this invention is to' provide an improvedinertia operated choke for shotguns, the

choke utilizing a chokecontrol sleeve which is threadedlv engaged in theforward end of the barrell'for selectively engaging finger portions ofthe barrel tovary the choke thereof, there being provided an.operator'for selectively rotating the choke control sleeve in responseto firing of the shotgun, the operator including a-drive'finger which"is so mounted whereby it may be'selectivelypositioned for driving thechoke control,sleeveinopposite directions or for rendering the fingerinoperative, whereby the choke of the barrel remains constant.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently appalfent reside. inthedetails of ins i atio nd per on: as.more fully hereinaftersdescribed and claimed, reference. being ,had'totheaaccompanying drawings formingv a part ihereof-,iwherein likenumerals referqto like parts vthrougho ut,-zandinwhich:

Figured is :a side elevational View, of:: the forward-"end of ashotgunubarrel and. shows-.inounted-thereon a first -.form of chokeattachment in accordancewith therpresent invention;

Figure 2 is: an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinahsec- Figure 3 is anenlarged fragmentary plan view of the forward end of the shotgun barrelof Figure 1 and shows the choke attachment prior to the firing of theshotgun, a portion of the housing of the choke attachment being brokenaway and shown in section in order to clearly illustrate the details ofthe operator thereof;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the forward end of theshotgun barrel of Figure 1- and shows the operator in a choke drivingposition;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of Figure3 and shows the mounting of a gravity actuated weight which is a part ofthe operator;

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section line b 6-6 of Figure 2 and showsthe specific connection beness.

tween the drive finger and the inertia actuated operator which permitsthe varying of the drive of the choke control sleeve;

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional viewtaken-substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 77 ofFigure 3 and shows the specific details of the choke control sleeve andthe ears carried thereby for engagement by the drive finger;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the forward end of thebarrel with a portion of the operator of thechoke attachment beingbroken away and shown in section, the operator being shown in anintermediate position; Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sideelevational view of a modified form of shotgun barrel and chokeattachment, a portion of the barrel and the choke attachmerit beingbroken awayand shown in section in order to illustrate the detailsthereof;

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional View taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section'line 1010 of Figure 9 and showsthe details oftheinertia actuated weightof the operator; and

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 1111 ofFigure 9' and shows the manner in which the drive finger is rotatablycarried'by the: inertia actuated operator for selective positioningthereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there isillustrated in Figures 1 through 8, inclusive, a shotgun barrel10 whichis especially adapted for the reception of a choke attachment. Theshotgun barrel 10 is provided at the forward end thereof with aplurality of resilient fingers 12. The resilient fingers 12 arecircumferentially spaced and are of a reduced thick- However, the normalinternal diameter defined by the fingers 12 is the same as the internaldiameter of the barrel 10. The barrel 10 is provided rearwardly of thefingers 12 with external threads'14 which are relatively coarse. Also,there is mounted on the upper part of the barrel 10 a longitudinallyextending sight bar'16 of the conventional type.

Mounted on the forward part of the barrel 10 is an inertia'operatedchoke which is referred -to in general by the reference numeral 18. Thechoke 18-includes a choke control sleeve 20 which is mounted on theforward end of the shotgun barrel 10 and which includes a forwardinternal frustoconical portion 22 which is engaged with the fingers 12so as to urge the fingers 12 inwardly and thereby varying the choke ofthe barrel 10. The rear part of the choke control sleeve 20 is providedwith internal threads 24 which are engaged with the threads 14 to bothretain the choke control sleeve on the barrel 10 and also tolongitudinally posi- In order to facilitate the rotation of the chokecontrol sleeve 20 to automatically vary the choke of the barrel afterthe firing thereof, there is mounted on the barrel 10 a gravity actuatedoperator or actuator assembly which is referred to in general by thereference numeral 32. The operator assembly 32 includes an elongatedinertia actuated operator or actuator 34. The operator 34 includes anelongated rear portion 36 of channel-shaped cross section whichfunctions as a continuation of the sight bar 16. The rear portion '36 isguidingly engaged.

on a support pin 38 which includes a head 40 and an intermediate recess42. The rear portion 36 is provided with an opening 44 to clear the head40 and thus facilitate the removal of the operator 34 from the pin 38.

The operator 34 also includes a forward portion 46 which is square incross section and which has a longitudinally extending, circular bore 48therethrough. An

elongated, longitudinally extending slot 50 opens the bore 48through thebottom of the forward portion 46. The upper part of the bore 48 opensinto a relatively Wide portion 52. Carried by the forward part of thebarrel 10 is a second pin '54 having an enlarged head 56 which isslidably received in the opening 52. The pin 54 extends through the slot50. It is to be understood that the slot 50 and the opening 52 extendingthrough the for-' ward end of the operator 34 may be disengaged from thepin 54.

The operator 34 includes an intermediate vertical wall 58 which forms adivider between the forward portion 46 and the rear portion 36. Mountedwithin the forward portion46 is a coil spring 60 which has one endthereof bearing againstthe wall 58 and the opposite end thereof Ibearing against the pin 54. Thus the operator 34 is normally urgedrearwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 2 by the coil spring60.

. Carried by the forward portion 46 of the operator 34 1s a drive fingerassembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 62.The drive finger assembly 62 includes a circular cross sectional carrier64 which is positioned in the forward end of the forward portion 46, asis best shown in Figure 3. The carrier 64 is retained within theoperator 34 by means of an operating lever 66 which is threadedlyengaged in the carrier 64 and which extends transversely therefrom. Thelever 66 passes through a circumferential slot 68 in the forward portion46, as is best shown in Figure 6, and permits the drive finger assembly62 to be rotated 180 degrees. The purpose of so mounting the carrier 64will be described in more detail hereinafter.

i one of the slots 28 so as to not drive/the choke control The forwardpart of the carrier 64 is provided with a slot 70 in which there ismounted a rearpart 72 of a drive finger 74. The drive finger 74 iscurved and is of the cam type. The'drive finger 74 includes-a shoulder76 which is engageable with the forward end of the carrier 64 to limitpivoting of the drive finger 74 about a pivot pin 78 which is used topivotally mount the drive finger 74 relative to the carrier 64. A coilspring 80 mounted in the recess 70 and bearing against the rear portion72 normally urges the drive finger 74 to the position illustrated inFigure 3. p The choke attachment 18 may be removed from the barrel 10 byfirst unscrewing the choke control sleeve 20. Then, by removing thelever 66, the drive finger assembly 62 may be removed from the operator34. The operator 34 may then be moved rearwardly until the pin 54 passesout of the forward end of the operator 34 and the pin 38 -is alignedwith the opening-44. The operator 34 may then be lifted off the pin 44.Incidentally, it is pointed identical to the choke control sleeve 20.'control sleeve 88 includes a forward internal frustoout that the rearend of the carrier 64 functions as a stop to limit rearward movement ofthe operator 34 due to the urging of the spring 60.

Assuming it is desired to increase the choke of the barrel 10 during asequence of firing, the choke control sleeve 20 and the operatorassembly 32 are positioned in the manner illustrated in Figure 3. Whenthe gun of which the barrel 10 is a part is fired, the barrel 10 willmove rearwardly and the operator assembly 32 will maintain substantiallya fixed position due to the inertia which must be overcome to move it.As a result, the collar 26 will move rearwardly and engage the drivefinger 74, as is best shown in Figure 4. The choke control sleeve 20will then be rotated and further threaded onto the barrel 10 so as tomove longitudinally rearwardly along the barrel '10. This will increasethe choke of the barrel 10 by compressing the spring fingers 12. Afterthe gun has been fired, it will again move forwardly, at which time thespring finger 74 will pivot about the pivot pin 78 and permit the chokecontrol sleeve 20 to move forward with out being turned backward fromthe position it had been originally turned. Upon'the next firing of thegun of 'which the barrel 10 is a part, the drive finger 74 will beengaged by one of the ears 30. The sequence is repeated until such timeas the drive finger.74 is positioned in the last one of the slots 28, atwhich time no further advancing of the choke control sleeve 20 ispossible.

If it is desired to open the choke of the barrel 10 during a firingsequence, the choke control sleeve 20 is positioned on the barrel 10 ina position of maximum choke. The drive finger assemblyr62 is thenrotated 180 degrees from the position illustrated in Figure 3 so thatwhen the choke control sleeve 20 moves rearwardly relative to the drivefinger 74, it will be c ammed in' a direction opposite from that shownby the arrow in Figure 4 on the annular colla'r'26. Further, if it isdesired to render the automatic feature of the choke inoperative, thiscan be accomplished by moving the lever 66 to an upright position, suchas shown in Figure 6. In this position the drive finger 74 facesupwardly and will freely pass into sleeve 20.

Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and 11 in particular,

a it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of isreferred to in general by the reference numeral 82 vand with theexception of the fact that it is not provided with a sight bar such asthe sight bar 16 it is identical with .the barrel 10. The extremeforward end of the barrel .82 is in the form' of a plurality ofresilient fingers 84 and disposed rearwardly of the finger 84 is anexternally threaded portion 86. Threadedly engaged on the forward end ofthe barrel 82 is a choke control sleeve 88 which is The choke conicalportion 90 whichis engaged with the fingers 84 for. varying the choke ofthe barrel 82. The rear part of the choke control sleeve 88 includes anannular collar 92 which is divided into a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced ears 94 by means of cir'cumferentially spaced slots In order tofacilitate the rotation of the choke control sleeve 88 to vary the chokeof the barrel 82, there is carried by the barrel an operator assemblywhich is referred to in general by the reference numeral 98. Theoperator assembly 98 includes an inertia actuated operator 100 which isin the form of a large annular weight. Secured to the underside of thebarrel 82 as by welding is an elongated key 102. The operator 100 isprovided with a keyway 104 in which the key 102 is received. The

operator 100 is thus prevented from rotating.

har T p n 106" b rs. a s h P oi c ns part108 or theiopera'tQf 10.0 tourge; the operator 100 to the left to-its normalfiinoperative positionof Figure '9. A'stop 110 in the form of a setscrew limits the rearwardmovement ofthe. operator I00.

The upp r part of the operator 100Iincludes a longitudinalbore llz whichdoes not extend the full length of the operattor'ltifltSeated in thebore 112 is a carriage 114 which is identical with the carriage 64. Thecarriage 114 is a part of a 'drive ,finger assembly 116 which isidentical with the drive fingerassembly 62 and need not be describedin-more detail. The drive finger assembly 116, does include, a drivefingerl118 which is identical to the drive finger "74, which drivefinger 118 is 'pivotally .mounted' with respect to the carriage'114bymeans of a pivotpin 120.

In order to facilitatethe'positioning of the drive finger assembly-98with respect to the operator 100, the operator 100 is provided with atransverse slot 122 in, the central portion thereof, which slot opensdownwardly into the bore 112., Disposed within the slot-122 and carriedby "the carriage 114 is a -lever 122., The lever 122 is-used 'to rotatethe carriage 114-within the bore 112.

Inasmuch as the only difference between the operator assembly )8 and theoperator 'assembly 32 is the details of the construction of" theoperator, it will be readily apparent that the operation of the-shotgunincluding the barrel 82 willbe identical with the operation of theshotgun including the barrel 10, as described above. Accordingly,description of the specific-details of the operation of the chokeassemblycariied by the barrel 82 is not believed to be necessary.

From-the foregoing'd escriptionof the two forms of chokeassernblydisclosed, it will be readily apparent that there has-been devised avery simple automatic 1 choke assembly which maybe built at a minimum ofcost and which when placed intooperation has relatively few moving partswhich are-subjectto wear and breakage.

Thus, there has been-devised a;relatively inexpensive automatic chokewhich-is free 'fromthe normal operating troubles experienced with othertypes of automatic chokes.

Theforcgoing isconsidered as illustrative only of the *principlesoftheinvention. Further, since numerous -modifications and changes willreadily-occurto those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit theinvention to the exact construction and, operation shown and described,and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may beresorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said chokeassemblycomprising wgun barrel having a forward end. inthe form of 'aplurality of individual-resilient fingers, a choke control sleeveengaged over said Tforwardend, saidmchoke control sleeve including ansaid choke control sleeve, an operator mounted on said barrel forlongitudinal movement thereon, a cam type drive finger carried by saidoperator and engageable with said ears to rotate said choke controlsleeve.

2. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said choke assemblycomprising a gun barrel having a forward end in the form of a pluralityof individual resilient fingers, a choke control sleeve engaged oversaid forward end, said choke control sleeve including an interiorfrusto-conical portion engaging said fingers, thread position of saidchoke control sleeve, saidcontrol means means on said barrel and saidchoke control sleeve for positioning said choke controlsleeve'longitudinally of said barrel to vary the choke of said barrel byvarying the engagement of said frusto-conical portion with said fingers,and control means carried by said barrel for rotating said choke controlsleeve to vary the longitudinal position of said choke control sleeve,said control means including a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced earson said choke control sleeve, an operator mounted on said barrel forlongitudinal movement thereon, a cam type drive finger carried by saidoperator and engageable with said ears to rotate'said choke controlsleeve, said operator being of theinertia actuated type.

3. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said choke assemblycomprising a gun barrel having a forward end in the form of a pluralityof individual resilient fingers, a choke control sleeve engaged oversaidforward end, said choke control sleeve including an interiorfrusto-conical portion engaging said fingers, thread means on saidbarrel and said choke control-sleeve for positioning said choke controlsleeve longitudinally of said barrel to vary the choke of said barrel byvarying the engagement ofsaid frusto-conical portion with said fingers,and control means carried by said barrel for rotating'said choke controlsleeve to vary the longitudinal type drive finger carried by saidoperator and engageable with said ears to rotate said choke-controlsleeve, said operator being of the inertia actuated type, spring meansconnected to said .operator for returning said operator to aninoperative position.

4. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said choke assemblycomprising a gun barrel .having a forward end in the form of apluralityof individual resilient fingers, a choke control sleeve engagedoversaidforward end, said choke control sleeve including an interiorfrustoconical portion engaging said fingers, thread means on said barreland said choke control sleeve for positioning said choke control sleevelongitudinally of said barrel to vary the choke of said barrel'byvarying theengagement of said frusto-conical portion with said fingers,and control means carried by said barrel for rotating-said choke con-.trol sleeve to vary the longitudinal position of said choke controlsleeve, said control means including a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced ears on said choke control 'sleeve, an operator mounted on saidbarrel for longi- 'jacent ones of said ears without effecting reverserotation of said choke control sleeve.

5. .A choke assembly for shotgunsand the like, said choke assemblycomprising a gun barrel having a forward end in the form of a pluralityof individual resilient fingers, a choke control sleeve engaged oversaid forward end, said choke control sleeve including an interiorfrustoconical portion engaging said fingers, thread means on said barreland said choke control sleeve for positioning said choke control sleevelongitudinally of said barrel to vary the choke of said barrel byvarying the engagement of said frusto-conical portion with said fingers,and control means carried by said barrel for rotating said choke controlsleeve to vary the longitudinal position of said choke control sleeve,said control means including a plurality of circumferentially spacedears on said choke control sleeve, an operator mounted on said barrelfor longitudinal movement thereon, a cam type drive finger carried bysaid operator and engageable with said ears to rotate said choke controlsleeve, a rotatable connection between said drive finger and saidoperator whereby said drive finger may be selectively rotated wherebysaid drive finger may be selectively positioned in forward drive,reverse drive and inoperative positions. 7

6. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said said barrel and saidchoke control sleeve for positioning ,said choke control sleevelongitudinally of said barrel to vary the choke of said barrel byvarying theengagement of said frusto-conical portion with said fingers,

and control means carried by said barrel for rotating said choke controlsleeve to vary the longitudinal position of said choke control sleeve,said control means including a plurality of circurnferentially spacedears on said choke control sleeve, an operator mounted on said barrelfor longitudinal movement thereon, a cam type drive finger carried bysaid operator and engageable with said ears to rotate said choke controlsleeve, a rotatable connection between said drive finger and saidoperator whereby said drive finger may be selectively rotated wherebysaid drive finger may be selectively positioned in forward drive,reverse drive and inoperative positions, a spring loaded pivotalconnection between said operator and said drive finger whereby saiddrive finger may be withdrawn from between adjacent ones of said earswithout effecting reverse rotation of said choke control sleeve. 7

7. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said choke assemblycomprising a gun barrel having a forwardend in the form of a pluralityof individual resilient fingers, a choke control sleeve engaged oversaid for-i said barrel for longitudinal movement thereon, a cam typedrive finger carried by said operator and engageable ward end, saidchoke control sleeve including an interior frusto-conical portionengaging said fingers, thread means on said barrel and said chokecontrol sleeve for positioning said choke control sleeve longitudinallyof said barrel to vary the choke of said barrel byvarying the engagementof said frusto-conical portion vwith said fingers, and control meanscarried by said barrel for rotating said choke control sleeve to varythe longitudinal position of said choke control sleeve, said controlmeans including a plurality of circumferentially spaced ears on saidchoke control sleeve, an inertia actuated operator mounted on saidbarrel for longitudinal movement thereon, a cam type drive fingercarried by said operator and engageable with said ears to rotate saidchoke control sleeve, a spring loaded pivotal connection between saidoperator and said drive finger whereby said drive finger may bewithdrawn from between adjacent ones of said ears withoutefiectingreverse rotation of said choke control sleeve.

8. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said choke assemblycomprising a gun barrel having a forward end in the form of a pluralityof individual resilient conical portion engaging said fingers, threadmeans on,

tconical portion engaging said fingers, thread means on fingers, a chokecontrol sleeve engaged over said forward end, said choke control sleeveincluding an interior frusto-conical portion engaging said fingers,thread means on said barrel and'said choke control sleeve forpositioning said choke control sleeve longitudinally of said barrel tovary the choke of said barrel by varying the engagement of .saidfrustoconical portion with said fingers, and control means carried bysaid barrel for ,rotating said choke control sleeve to vary thelongitudinal position of said choke control sleeve, said control meansincluding a plurality of circumferentially spaced ears on said chokecontrol sleeve, an inertia actuated operator mounted on saidv barrel forlongitudinal movement thereon, a cam type drive finger carried by saidoperator and engageable with said'ea'rs to rotate said choke controlsleeve, a rotatable connection between said drive finger and saidoperator whereby said drive finger may be selectively rotatedwherebysaid drive finger may be selectively positioned in forward drive,reverse drive and inoperative positions.

9. A choke assembly for shotguns and the like, said choke assemblycomprising a gun barrel having a forward end in the form of a pluralityof individual resilient fingers, a choke control sleeve engaged oversaid forward end, said choke control sleeve including an interiorfrustosaid barrel and said choke control sleeve for positioning saidchoke control sleeve longitudinally of said barrel choke control sleeveto vary the longitudinal position of said choke control sleeve, saidcontrol means including a-plurality of circumferentially spaced ears onsaid choke control sleeve, an inertia actuated operator mounted on tivepositions, a spring loaded pivotal connection between said operator andsaid drive finger whereby said drive finger may be withdrawn frombetween adjacent ones of said ears without effecting reverse rotation ofsaid choke control sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,270,592 Kitzmiller Jan. 20, 1942 2,759,286 Moore Aug. 21, 19562,765,564 Schroeder Oct. 9, 1956 2,771,698

Rochelle Nov. 27, 1956

